October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919 Political Party: Republican 1st term: September 14, 1901 – 1904 2nd term: 1904 – March 3, 1909 Vice President 1st term: none Vice President 2nd term: Charles Warren Fairbanks (1905-1909)
Thesis:
President Theodore Roosevelt, also known as the Great Conservationist, contributed much to America at the time and to the future of the nation. Following the death of McKinley he pursued the Panama Canal, the Roosevelt Corollary, and the Square Deal, most famous for its conservation policies, while also overcoming obstacles such as the Panic of 1907. Roosevelt, liked by many, led the nation forward with much success contributing to his rightfully earned grade of an A for his presidency.
Goals:
When Roosevelt became president he was the youngest that the nation had happened upon so far. He reassured the country by proclaiming to follow the policies of McKinley. Roosevelt was a strong supporter of the Gold Standard, believed in the rights of labor and the consumers, and condemned powerful monopolies. The Square Deal was developed to ensure control of corporations, consumer protection, and conservation of natural resources. The Square Deal alone accomplished his goals of trust-busting, protecting consumers, through the Meat Inspection Act and other safety regulations, and also hit hard the area of conservation. He later called more strongly for the regulation of corporations, and for taxing incomes, while also striving to protect the worker. Roosevelt accomplished many, if not all of his goals, through his hard work, persistence, and determination.
Administration:
Theodore Roosevelt’s administration consisted of a Republican majority in congress through out both of his terms. The president and his administration seemed to work very well together as they passed numerous pieces of legislation. There were not very many vetoes during his presidency as compared to previous ones. Roosevelt had a great say in the matter and often did what was deemed best for the nation and its people. Occasionally Congress was unsure about Roosevelt, thinking he had given to much power to the executive branch, but overall they supported his decisions and reform ideas. Together they established the Panama Canal, Anti-Trust Policies, the Roosevelt Corollary, the Gentleman’s Agreement, and the Square Deal. They passed several other pieces of legislation such as the Meat Inspection Act dealing with the consumers and many acts dealing with land conservation. Roosevelt himself aided Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War, unfortunately resulting in lost friendships. The Roosevelt administration also overcame the Panic of 1907 with needed fiscal reforms, and successfully aided in the Anthracite Coal Strike in 1902.
Most Positive Outcome:
While most, if not all, of Roosevelt’s accomplishments were great successes, the one that seems to sum up the most important impacts of his presidency is the Square Deal. This policy was developed for capital, labor, and the public at large. It came to be famous for Roosevelt’s three C’s: control of corporations, consumer protection, and conservation of natural resources. The Square deal was inspired by his ability to successfully resolve the Anthracite Coal Strike and from there he accomplished many other things. Other pieces of legislation and impacts this policy included consisted of conservation, which is perhaps his greatest contribution to the nation and its future. Roosevelt also passed the Elkins Act and the Hepburn Act, which provided railroad regulation. The Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act were made for consumer protection. And trust-busting also had a large involvement in the Square Deal policies. With everything considered, it is obvious to see how these positive effects and new laws affected the people of the United States. The Square Deal was made for the people's protection and did a good job at following through.
Most Negative Outcome:
While Roosevelt’s presidency suffered few negative outcomes, the little that it did revolved around foreign policy. Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize after negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese War. This seemed to be a positive thing for Roosevelt but the price of his diplomatic success was high for the United States foreign relations. After the negotiations had occurred the previous friendly relations with Russia became strained, as the Russians accused the President of robbing them of a military win. Japan, another friend to America, felt that their due compensation had been taken from them. This resulted in not so friendly foreign relations between the two as Japan and America became rivals in Asia. So while Roosevelt did a good thing to stop the Russo-Japanese War it unfortunately resulted in some negative effects for his administration at the time.
Influence on Future:
Many of Theodore Roosevelt’s decisions had great impacts on the future of presidencies and the future of the United States. However, the greatest of these achievements were his efforts in conservation. He preached the need to preserve lands and mountains as places of refuge and retreat. He wanted the country to change and begin to manage the natural resources rather than exploit them. President Roosevelt used his authority to issue executive orders to create several pieces of legislation. Some of these include, the Desert Land Act, the Forest Reserve Act, the Reclamation Act, and the Newlands Act. He also worked to further develop the Roosevelt Dam, National Parks and Federal Reserves. In total he created 152 new national forests, five national parks, eighteen national monuments and 51 wildlife refuges. The first national wildlife refuge was established at Pelican Island, Florida in 1903. Each of these accomplishments contribute greatly to where America stands today. There are many more national parks and the ones instated by Roosevelt still exist. There are programs dedicated to helping America in the area of conservation and the general environmental health. The Boy Scouts of America, started during Roosevelt’s time are still around today, as well as the Girl Scouts. People today remember Theodore Roosevelt mostly through his involvements in conservation, as they believe it was his greatest tangible achievement.
Conclusion:
The United States was much better off at the end of Theodore Roosevelt’s two terms because he had contributed to many changes through out the nation. Roosevelt changed the governments relationship to big businesses. He revolutionized foreign affairs believing that the United States had a worldly responsibility and that strong foreign policy was best. Roosevelt also introduced personality and character into politics. But most importantly he enlarged the power and prestige of the presidential office, while also helping to shape the progressive movement. Theodore Roosevelt's impressive presidential achievements earn him the high grade of an A because they all gained large success.
Work Cited:
"American President: Theodore Roosevelt: Foreign Affairs." Miller Center of Public Affairs. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/roosevelt/essays/biography/5>.
"Biography of Theodore Roosevelt by Theodore Roosevelt Association." About Theodore Roosevelt: President and More, from The Theodore Roosevelt Association. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/life/biotr.htm>.
DeGregorio, William A., and Sandra Lee. Stuart. The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade, 2009. Print.
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas Andrew Bailey. The American Pageant: a History of the American People. Boston. MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.
"Theodore Roosevelt." The White House. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/theodoreroosevelt>.
President Theodore Roosevelt
October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919
Political Party: Republican
1st term: September 14, 1901 – 1904
2nd term: 1904 – March 3, 1909
Vice President 1st term: none
Vice President 2nd term: Charles Warren Fairbanks (1905-1909)
Thesis:
President Theodore Roosevelt, also known as the Great Conservationist, contributed much to America at the time and to the future of the nation. Following the death of McKinley he pursued the Panama Canal, the Roosevelt Corollary, and the Square Deal, most famous for its conservation policies, while also overcoming obstacles such as the Panic of 1907. Roosevelt, liked by many, led the nation forward with much success contributing to his rightfully earned grade of an A for his presidency.
Goals:
When Roosevelt became president he was the youngest that the nation had happened upon so far. He reassured the country by proclaiming to follow the policies of McKinley. Roosevelt was a strong supporter of the Gold Standard, believed in the rights of labor and the consumers, and condemned powerful monopolies. The Square Deal was developed to ensure control of corporations, consumer protection, and conservation of natural resources. The Square Deal alone accomplished his goals of trust-busting, protecting consumers, through the Meat Inspection Act and other safety regulations, and also hit hard the area of conservation. He later called more strongly for the regulation of corporations, and for taxing incomes, while also striving to protect the worker. Roosevelt accomplished many, if not all of his goals, through his hard work, persistence, and determination.
Administration:
Theodore Roosevelt’s administration consisted of a Republican majority in congress through out both of his terms. The president and his administration seemed to work very well together as they passed numerous pieces of legislation. There were not very many vetoes during his presidency as compared to previous ones. Roosevelt had a great say in the matter and often did what was deemed best for the nation and its people. Occasionally Congress was unsure about Roosevelt, thinking he had given to much power to the executive branch, but overall they supported his decisions and reform ideas. Together they established the Panama Canal, Anti-Trust Policies, the Roosevelt Corollary, the Gentleman’s Agreement, and the Square Deal. They passed several other pieces of legislation such as the Meat Inspection Act dealing with the consumers and many acts dealing with land conservation. Roosevelt himself aided Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War, unfortunately resulting in lost friendships. The Roosevelt administration also overcame the Panic of 1907 with needed fiscal reforms, and successfully aided in the Anthracite Coal Strike in 1902.
Most Positive Outcome:
While most, if not all, of Roosevelt’s accomplishments were great successes, the one that seems to sum up the most important impacts of his presidency is the Square Deal. This policy was developed for capital, labor, and the public at large. It came to be famous for Roosevelt’s three C’s: control of corporations, consumer protection, and conservation of natural resources. The Square deal was inspired by his ability to successfully resolve the Anthracite Coal Strike and from there he accomplished many other things. Other pieces of legislation and impacts this policy included consisted of conservation, which is perhaps his greatest contribution to the nation and its future. Roosevelt also passed the Elkins Act and the Hepburn Act, which provided railroad regulation. The Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act were made for consumer protection. And trust-busting also had a large involvement in the Square Deal policies. With everything considered, it is obvious to see how these positive effects and new laws affected the people of the United States. The Square Deal was made for the people's protection and did a good job at following through.
Most Negative Outcome:
While Roosevelt’s presidency suffered few negative outcomes, the little that it did revolved around foreign policy. Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize after negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese War. This seemed to be a positive thing for Roosevelt but the price of his diplomatic success was high for the United States foreign relations. After the negotiations had occurred the previous friendly relations with Russia became strained, as the Russians accused the President of robbing them of a military win. Japan, another friend to America, felt that their due compensation had been taken from them. This resulted in not so friendly foreign relations between the two as Japan and America became rivals in Asia. So while Roosevelt did a good thing to stop the Russo-Japanese War it unfortunately resulted in some negative effects for his administration at the time.
Influence on Future:
Many of Theodore Roosevelt’s decisions had great impacts on the future of presidencies and the future of the United States. However, the greatest of these achievements were his efforts in conservation. He preached the need to preserve lands and mountains as places of refuge and retreat. He wanted the country to change and begin to manage the natural resources rather than exploit them. President Roosevelt used his authority to issue executive orders to create several pieces of legislation. Some of these include, the Desert Land Act, the Forest Reserve Act, the Reclamation Act, and the Newlands Act. He also worked to further develop the Roosevelt Dam, National Parks and Federal Reserves. In total he created 152 new national forests, five national parks, eighteen national monuments and 51 wildlife refuges. The first national wildlife refuge was established at Pelican Island, Florida in 1903. Each of these accomplishments contribute greatly to where America stands today. There are many more national parks and the ones instated by Roosevelt still exist. There are programs dedicated to helping America in the area of conservation and the general environmental health. The Boy Scouts of America, started during Roosevelt’s time are still around today, as well as the Girl Scouts. People today remember Theodore Roosevelt mostly through his involvements in conservation, as they believe it was his greatest tangible achievement.
Conclusion:
The United States was much better off at the end of Theodore Roosevelt’s two terms because he had contributed to many changes through out the nation. Roosevelt changed the governments relationship to big businesses. He revolutionized foreign affairs believing that the United States had a worldly responsibility and that strong foreign policy was best. Roosevelt also introduced personality and character into politics. But most importantly he enlarged the power and prestige of the presidential office, while also helping to shape the progressive movement. Theodore Roosevelt's impressive presidential achievements earn him the high grade of an A because they all gained large success.
Work Cited:
"American President: Theodore Roosevelt: Foreign Affairs." Miller Center of Public Affairs. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/roosevelt/essays/biography/5>.
"Biography of Theodore Roosevelt by Theodore Roosevelt Association." About Theodore Roosevelt: President and More, from The Theodore Roosevelt Association. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/life/biotr.htm>.
DeGregorio, William A., and Sandra Lee. Stuart. The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade, 2009. Print.
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas Andrew Bailey. The American Pageant: a History of the American People. Boston. MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.
"Theodore Roosevelt." The White House. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/theodoreroosevelt>.